Leadership

A member of the Jesuit Order since 1977; current Special Consultant to the United Nations Committee on Economics and Poverty; former President and Trustee, St. Johns Jesuit High School, Toledo, Ohio; Trustee, Co-founder/Former President, Boys Hope/Girls Hope, St. Louis, MO. Longtime activist for the poor and disadvantaged, serving on numerous charitable and nonprofit boards both nationally and internationally. Nominated CNN Hero; recipient of the United States' Jefferson Award for Public Service, Guatemala's Distinguished Humanitarian Award, Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, commended by President George and Barbara Bush for outstanding public service.

Current Special Consultant to the United Nations Committee on Economics and Poverty; former Consultant World Bank Global Financial Markets Department; former Consultant United Nations Pan American Health Organization; former Researcher World Bank Finance and Infrastructure Department; former Counselor for the General Secretary, Banco Union Colombiano, Bogotá, Colombia.

Twenty years in project accounting and office management for custom home and commercial builders; Project Accountant/Bank Liaison for Mallard Condominiums, LLC; Extensive volunteer work including Board Secretary/Treasurer of Education Commission for Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, FIRST Robotics, and Brian’s House Hospice.

Graduated from Adrian College in Adrian, MI in 2014 with degrees in Spanish and Psychology. She has had service immersion and international travel experiences. She studied abroad for a full semester in Sevilla, Spain and was able to travel throughout Europe. She enjoys learning about new cultures and encouraging others to see the world.

Studied International Studies, Economics and Chinese Studies at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He studied abroad in Dalian, China and went on multiple service immersion trips in Appalachia and Jamaica during college. He was a Passionist Volunteer International in the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica for one year after graduation and is passionate about promoting global solidarity and spreading awareness of poverty issues through service immersion experiences. He believes the most important way to serve those in poverty is through accompaniment, being in relationship and partnership with them, while focusing on sustainable development.

Mateusz Plaza worked as a United States Fulbright Researcher between 2012-2013. He is interested in the ethics of solidarity and interpersonal dialogue. Since 2012, Mateusz has been an affiliate of the Jozef Tischner Institute. He has over 7 years of healthcare experience, which includes clinical work in the emergency room and ambulance corps.

B.S. in Architecture and Urban Planning; founder of The Supply Chapter at the University of Michigan; M.S.W in Management in Social Services with a minor in Social Policy and Evaluation from the University of Michigan; Certified in Global Social Work and Human Services Management.

Kenneth Coleman has assisted International Samaritan in recent years with quantitative and qualitative research endeavors among beneficiaries of programs supported by International Samaritan, as well as among our mission trip volunteers. Currently an independent qualitative research consultant, Coleman has worked in the market research industry and as an academic specializing in Latin America. His academic appointments have included the Universities of Kentucky, North Carolina and New Mexico in this country and as a Fulbright Lecturer in Mexico, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Has +25 years experience in management and education. Holds an M. A. in adult education, with current studies in Project and Financial Management, as well as degrees in pedagogy and educational management. Is a business and technical-vocational teacher, specializing in the development of skills for labor insertion and re-engineering. Certified trainer of trainers, virtual teacher and second language instructor. Has worked in management and as an education and curriculum specialist for RTI and Mercy Corps with USAID projects, and in projects with the IDB, UNDP, UNESCO and has worked in international development for 10 years.

Timothy Bouldry is the Program Coordinator for the Paso a Paso Program in Nicaragua. He has professionally photographed communities working at dumpsites from all over the world for 9 years. Currently, he resides in Nicaragua to further his efforts to work with these communities full time.

Holds degrees in pedagogy and educational administration, is a secondary school professor and specialist in marketing and publicity. She also holds certificates in human rights studies, specializing in youth. In 2010 she was recognized for her work in advocating for the rights of youth and was sent as one of two representatives from Guatemala to Colombia to be a part of the development of a global Decalogue of young children and youth from the catholic organization BICE. She also received recognition from the Office of Human Rights of the Archbishop.

Over five years experience in international development and aid with a track record of career advancements. A thorough and in-depth knowledge of gender, legal, social and political issues of East Africa with a special focus on Ethiopia. Demonstrated skill in project management, research, leadership, monitoring and evaluation and diplomacy. Remarkable communication skills across age groups. Passionate about development in Africa and a strong believer in effective use of partnership.

Holds a Professional Degree in Business Administration; Working experience with Non-Profit Organizations since 2008; Been an English teacher for public and private institutions in Nicaragua for more than 12 years; Has taught high school and university students to speak a high level of professional English language to facilitate a better labor experience; Currently taking a professional degree in pedagogy in Education Administration.

International Samaritan Board of Directors

Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Grupo Altamira, one of Guatemala's largest urban development firms. Former professor of Architecture, has studied at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, MS Construction Management, Texas A&M.

J. Michael Bernard, Esq. is a member of the Dykema law firm, working at their Detroit office. He has extensive experience in venture financing, mergers, and acquisitions. Mr. Bernard continues his long commitment to helping those in need.

Director for the Central Funding Group of Royal Bank of Canada in New York City; formerly worked for the bank in London, England; Bachelor of Science and Engineering Degree, University of Pennsylvania; 1995 Salutatorian of St. John’s Jesuit High School. Chris was one of the four students who traveled with Father Don to Guatemala in 1994. His work raising awareness and funds for the Guatemala City garbage dump dwellers helped lead to the founding of International Samaritan.

Former President and CEO, former Chairman of the Board of Iams Company; current chairman of investment firm CYMI, Ltd., chairman of Aileron (formerly the Center for Entrepreneurial Education), President of Mathile Family Foundation; active board member for non-profit organizations focused on education for the underprivileged.

Director of Novices for the Society of Jesus (Chicago, Detroit, Wisconsin provinces); former assistant pastor at St. Mary’s Student Parish; held various key roles at St. John’s Jesuit High School for 17 years; ordained to the priesthood in 1992; earned three master’s degrees in English, Divinity and Theology; Bachelor of Arts Degree, University of Notre Dame.

Retired founder of Pulte Homes; many philanthropic interests with emphasis on the poor, elderly, the homeless and children. Karen and Bill are founding members of the International Samaritan Board of Trustees.

Partner in law firm of Shumaker, Loop, & Kendrick, LLP of Toledo & Columbus, Ohio, Tampa, Florida, and Charlotte, North Carolina; current Administrator of the firm’s real estate department; extensive history with civic and charitable pursuits in Ohio and elsewhere.

Founder and CEO of SJS Investment Consulting, Inc., a Sylvania, Ohio based investment advisory firm. He currently serves on the board of several Catholic charities and educational institutions in Northwest Ohio.

President or Director of multiple enterprises; personal and family investment portfolios manager; President Stranahan Foundation; President and Trustee Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation; Trustee Hillsdale College, collier County Community Foundation, NCH Foundation.

Founding Partner of Legacy Private Capital, LLC. Extensive business and legal experience gained over a twenty eight year career in estate planning and wealth management, real estate development and consulting and the practice of law. Very active in the community including extended terms on the boards of Boys Hope Girls Hope Detroit, Detroit Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan and the Executive Board of the Wayne State University Law School Alumni Association.

President of Weingartz Supply Co., where he has been an active business leader since 1986; Member of the Legatus and Vistage Worldwide professional associations; Former Chairman and current member of the Michigan Green Industry Association; Current Director of Youth Vision Solutions and Macomb County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers; Former Director of Covenant House Michigan.